Phillies Think Hamels Could Become Santana

David Murphy at The Philadelphia Daily News writes about Cole Hamels and how the Phillies believe he may one day achieve what Santana has become (reaching high aren't we Charlie?):

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is saying he expects Hamels to someday reach the superstar level of the Mets' newly acquired ace, Johan Santana. But that ascension involves a variable.

"It depends on if I stay healthy," the pitcher said.

How well he rides it could very well determine how good of a position the Phillies will enjoy during their stretch run. Hamels says his target is 35 starts. The mark is a little on the ambitious side, considering the fact that only one major leaguer achieved it last season (Dontrelle Willis, with Florida). But his point remains: to achieve a status like Santana's, one must first achieve Santana-like durability, and the two-time Cy Young award winner has made at least 33 starts in each of the last four seasons. Hamels, meanwhile, has averaged just 25 1/2 starts in his first two seasons in the majors.

"If he can ever go through a season, stay healthy, it's hard to tell. Last year was his first year in the big leagues, really," Manuel said. "He's got about a year-and-a-half in the big leagues . . . Santana right now is, if not the best pitcher in baseball, he's definitely talked about being the best. I think eventually Hamels' ceiling can be that high."